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RPP Sign-up
In order to adequately prepare officers to deploy to infectious disease
events such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), we
have developed a Respiratory Protection Program to fit-test officers with
filtering facepiece respirators.
CCRF has recently entered into a contract with the 3M Corporation to
conduct:
- on-line medical evaluations and training
- fit-testing
- respirator purchase and storage.
3M will provide fit-testing during April and May 2004 in 12 pre-identified
locations around the country where CCRF has the highest concentration of
officers.
- Albuquerque, NM
- Anchorage, AK
- Atlanta, GA
- Boston, MA
- Cincinnati, OH
- Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
- Gallup, NM
- Los Angeles, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Rockville, MD
- Shiprock, NM
- Washington, D.C.
While CCRF will fund the actual program, we cannot pay for any travel or per
diem for officers who travel to these sites. If you are not located within a
reasonable distance, or are unable to travel to the sites listed above, you may
be fit-tested through your own identified resources.
Please complete the information below indicating whether you wish to
participate in the CCRF RPP and at which site you will participate.
Specific instructions will be sent to you by April 27, 2004 detailing your next
steps.
RPP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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When will I be fit tested?
CCRF will announce the dates for
the 12 fit testing locations shortly. The tests will take place in April and May.
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What if I cannot be fit tested in one of the 12 locations?
You may be fit tested through an independent company or your agency. CCRF
does not provide funding for fit testing conducted through another company or
agency.
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What if I am unavailable to be fit tested the dates 3M will be at my
location?
3M will only be at these locations on the specified dates to be determined. They
will not be returning to fit test officers that are unavailable on the given
date. You may be fit tested through an independent company or your agency. CCRF
does not provide funding for fit testing conducted through another company or
agency.
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In order to be fit tested I must travel more then 50 miles from my duty
station. Will I be reimbursed for travel expenses?
No, CCRF does not have funds available to pay for travel, per diem, etc.
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How do I become fit tested?
The 3M Corporation will conduct fit testing for CCRF. In order to
be fit tested you must complete the following, as specified on the CCRF website:
Complete the online medical evaluationComplete the online trainingComplete a respirator fit testProvide all required information on your Officer Summary Page
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How often do I get fit tested?
In order to wear a respirator you must be medically cleared and fit tested annually.
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Will I be fit tested again next year?
CCRF hopes to continue with annual fit testing pending funding and an identified need.
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How much will it cost to be fit tested?
There is no cost to CCRF officers to be fit tested with 3M on the specified dates.
CCRF will pay for the fit tests but there is no funding for travel, per diem, etc.
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I am attending COA in May. Can I be fit tested there?
No, CCRF is unable to offer respirator fit testing during the COA conference.
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What if I am not medically cleared?
You must be medically cleared in order to wear a respirator. Some
officers may not be cleared because a physician or licensed health care provider
recommends against it. Wearing a respirator can put added stress on multiple body systems, including the
cardiovascular and respiratory system. There
may be other reasons why you would not be medically cleared, including
claustrophobia or the inability for a respirator to fit your face.
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I just had a 5-year physical completed and submitted the documentation to DCP. Do I have to be medically evaluated again?
Yes, the medical evaluation for respirator use is different then the 5-year physical. A respirator medical evaluation will determine whether an
officer is able to wear a respirator while performing certain duties.
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What if I am fit tested through my agency?
Officers who are fit tested through their agency can be included in CCRF’s program.
Those officers that are fit tested must update their respirator data on the CCRF website.
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I was fit tested by my Agency but I do not have all of the required data
for my officer summary page. Can I still be included in CCRF’s Respiratory Protection Program?
No, CCRF requires certain data in order to include an officer in the program. This data is important because it is needed in a deployment situation. Please attempt to locate the required data to be included in the program.
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What if I am not fit tested for a filtering facepiece respirator but I am
fit tested for another respirator (i.e., SCBA, PAPR, full-face, half-face) that
offers a greater level of protection?
CCRF has a specific mission for its respiratory protection program. That
mission is to respond to infectious events, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). While some
respirators may protect in infectious environments they are not appropriate for
CCRF’s mission. Therefore, CCRF will not be tracking their use.
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Will I be able to keep my respirator after being fit tested?
No, to quantitatively fit test for an N-95 respirator a hole must be punched into the facepiece rendering the
respirator useless.
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Will I have a stock of respirators in case I get deployed?
No, CCRF will store and manage the respirators. The respirator that
you are fitted for will be sent to you at the deployment site if a respiratory risk is identified.
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I am fit tested through my Agency. Will I have to take my Agency’s respirators if I am called
to deploy or will CCRF provide them?
Yes, CCRF will only provide respirators to be held in a ready-for-shipment status for those officers that
were fit tested by CCRF.
Where can I find more information on respirators and fit testing?
For more immediate information please contact:
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